FOCUS +
Version 1.65
Focus+ is a versatile photographic depth of field calculator. Given the focal length of a lens and desired circle of confusion it can accurately calculate the hyperfocal distance, near/far or front/back depth of field, and optimum focus distance and aperture. The results are tabulated by aperture to aid fast look-up in the field and to see the results in context. Display can be switched between full, half and third stops.
Focus+ supports all Palm OS Powered devices running Palm OS 3.0 and later (including OS 5.0). This includes devices from Palm, Handspring, Sony, Acer, HandEra, Kyocera, Samsung, Symbol etc. Optimum support is provided for all monochrome and color devices. (An earlier version for the PalmPilot Personal and Professional running Palm OS 2.0 is available on request.)
The minimum amount of free storage required is 40KB. A small amount of additional storage will be used for the lens database.
INSTALLATION
Select the FocusPlus.prc file to copy it to your device on the next HotSync operation. On your desktop, simply double-click on the file or select it with the Palm Install Tool (Windows) or HotSync/Install Handheld Files (Macintosh).
The application and lens database will be automatically backed up on your computer (as required) on successive HotSyncs
BACKGROUND
Irrespective of focal length and aperture, only the plane at the focus distance is truly in focus. Depth of field is the distance range in front and behind the subject considered to be "in focus" or "sharp". It is computed as having a circle of confusion (COC in the software) on the film smaller than some arbitrary diameter. These circles are cross sections of the cone of light coming to a point behind or in front of the film plane. The circle of confusion used is dependent on the degree of enlargement, and hence film format.
The hyperfocal distance is the focus distance at which everything from half that distance to infinity will be "in focus". If you're a landscape photographer, this is a very useful value to know.
Note that perceived "sharpness" may also be affected by lens aberrations and diffraction at the respective ends of the aperture range.
OPERATION
Focus+ has three modes: Hyperfocal, Depth of Field and Calculator. Select the desired mode by selecting it from the pop-up list at top right of the display. Also, if you've assigned Focus+ to one of your hardware buttons (with the Prefs application), repeatedly pressing this button will cycle through each mode in turn. Set the mode you want Focus+ to start with by tapping the Menu silk-screened button and selecting Preferences from the Options menu.
Before you can use Focus+ you must first define the parameters for your lenses. This is done in the Define Lenses dialog which will be opened automatically when you first use Focus+. (You can add additional lenses or change parameters at a later time by tapping the Menu silk-screened button and selecting Define Lenses from the Record menu.) When you tap the New or Edit button, you'll be asked to specify a name for the lens, its focal length, aperture range and the default circle of confusion to be used in calculations. The lens will be added to the Focus+ database and can be selected from the Lens pop-up in each mode. For zoom lenses, simply define a number of entries at the respective focal lengths marked on the lens barrel then choose the corresponding closest entry for calculations. The number of lenses you can specify is limited only by available storage.
Note that the defaults listed in the circle of confusion list are for typical enlargement to an 8" x 10" (20cm x 25cm) print size. As an aid to determining the optimum circle of confusion to be used, select COC Calculator from the Options menu.
Focus+ has been designed to be fully self supporting on your device. For a description of each mode, tap the Menu silk-screened button and select Help from the Options menu. For help on dialogs, tap the small i (information) at top right of each dialog.
REGISTRATION
Focus+ is shareware. You may use this software for a period of up to 14 days from installation for evaluation purposes. If you find the program useful and continue to use it, you are required to register (pay the license fee for it). Registration will cause the banner to be no longer displayed and enable you to continue using the software after the evaluation period. You'll also be entitled to free upgrades to the software and support.
Register online at www.bitwareoz.com. Bitware Australia's web site supports credit card transactions in US, Australian and Canadian dollars, Euros and UK pounds. Alternative registration sites include www.handango.com and www.palmgear.com. You'll need to provide your personal User/HotSync Name when you register. This is the name you chose to identify your device to the Palm Desktop software. It's displayed in the top right corner of the device display at the completion of a HotSync operation and in the Name field of the Focus+ Registration dialog. At the completion of the registration process you'll be sent a personal Registration Code and instructions.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Send any queries, bug reports, and suggestions to support@bitwareoz.com. Support is available via e-mail only. All queries will be answered. Make sure you identify your device type and model, Palm OS and Focus+ versions.
KNOWN ISSUES
If you experience other problems running Focus+ and have HackMaster or replacement application launchers installed, first disable these to determine the cause of the error. Such hacks and launchers may modify the operating environment of your device. If you find an incompatibility, please report this to the author of the hack/launcher.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am indebted to Bob Wheeler and his "Notes on View Camera Geometry" for the theory on which this software is based.
LICENSE/DISCLAIMER
BY USING THIS SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO BECOME BOUND BY THE TERMS BELOW, WHICH INCLUDES THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES FOR A PERIOD STRICTLY LIMITED TO FOURTEEN DAYS FROM INITIAL INSTALLATION. AFTER THIS TIME THE SOFTWARE MUST EITHER BE PERMANENTLY REMOVED FROM YOUR DEVICE OR REGISTERED. WHEN REGISTERED, BITWARE AUSTRALIA GIVES YOU A LICENSE TO INSTALL AND CONTINUE TO USE THE SOFTWARE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD SOLELY ON THE DEVICE IDENTIFIED DURING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. AT ALL TIMES, BITWARE AUSTRALIA RETAINS OWNERSHIP OF THE SOFTWARE.
YOU MAY NOT MARKET, RENT, LEASE, LOAN, SELL, NETWORK, DISTRIBUTE OR TRANSFER THIS SOFTWARE AND/OR LICENSE CODES TO OTHERS, EITHER ON THEIR OWN OR WITH OR AS PART OF ANY OTHER PRODUCT OR EQUIPMENT, WITHOUT AN EXPRESS DISTRIBUTION LICENSE FROM BITWARE AUSTRALIA. ADDITIONALLY, YOU MAY NOT DISASSEMBLE, DECOMPILE, REVERSE ENGINEER, MODIFY, TRANSLATE OR CREATE DERIVATIVE WORKS BASED UPON THE SOFTWARE AND/OR DOCUMENTATION OR ANY PART THEREOF WITHOUT PERMISSION.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE USER ACCEPTS FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE, RESULTING FROM ITS USE.
ALL FILES IN THIS PACKAGE ARE COPYRIGHT MATERIALS OF BITWARE AUSTRALIA.
TRADEMARKS
Palm OS, Palm Computing and HotSync are registered trademarks and Palm and the Palm Computing platform Platinum logo are trademarks of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT
Stephen Best
Bitware Australia
info@bitwareoz.com
www.bitwareoz.com